Elevating truck



A April 4, 1939.

D. E. HENN-:ssY

ELEVATING ,TRUCK v Filed June 1, 1956 r bywwm 4 sheets-sheet 1 |nvenToT.

fw ATyS.

April 4, 1939.d D. E. HENNEssY I l 2,152,349

ELEVATING TRUCK Filed June 1, 1936 4 sheets-sheet 2 lnvenTvoTf.. Daniel EHennessy @MMM/TM April 4 19394 I D. E.HENNEssY 2,152,849

ELEVATING TRUCK Filed June 1, 1936 4 sheets-sheet s nv'enor., Daniel E. Hennessy bya/MMJPM April 4, 1939. D. E. HENN'EssY I l ELEVATING TRUCK Filed June l, 1956 4 sheets-sheet 4 Inven To?.` Daniel EHelnnessy luy/@Mm' ATTYS means is in elevated or lowered Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELEVATING TRUCK Application June 1, 1936, Serial No. 82,756

19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in elevating trucks having steering mechanism rotatable about a vertical axis and provided with a tongue mounted thereon to swing vertically, load supporting means, and exible lifting means maintaining uninterrupted connection between said tongue and said load supporting means and movable lengthwise by a swinging movement of the tongue when in any steering position to raise said load supporting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elevating truck of the character described in which the tongue is pivoted to the lower part of the steering mechanism, thereby enabling the powergto be applied more effectively to the tongue during the lifting movement thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide lifting mechanism of the character described which may be employed to raise the load supporting means, which is supported upon the chassis or frame of the truck,'in any desired manner, as, for example, by parallel links movable in either direction, inclined wedges, toggle mechanism, vertical lift, etc.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elevating truck of the character described in which the lifting of theload supporting means is accomplished by longitudinal pull applied to a flexible member passing over suitable guides, thereby avoiding reversal of motion in the elements of the lifting mechanism,A permitting the use of a minimum number of parts, reducing wear, etc.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elevating truck of the character described having means for'releasing the tension upon the lifting mechanism, whether the load supporting position, thereby avoiding the danger of a flying'tongue.

Another object of the invention is to provide an elevating truck with asimple locking mechanism which may be readily released to permit the descent of the load supporting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elevating truck of the character described in which the lifting mechanism is always connected to the load supporting means and to the tongue when in any steering position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elevating Atruck in which the load supporting means is always connected to the vertically swinging tongue by a flexible member, with means selectively operable to tighten or slacken the flexible member to cause rapid lifting movement of the load supporting means, or to slacken said (C1. zei- 4) e flexible member to permit the descent of the load supporting means, cushioning means being provided to check too rapid descent of the load supporting means.

These and other objects and features of the 5 invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

The invention is broadly disclosed herein as embodied in Elevating trucks in which the load supporting means is raised by a exible member operated by a swinging movement of the tongue and is shown as embodied both in single lift elevating trucks and in multiple lift elevating trucks in which the load supporting means is raised step by step successively by repeated swinging movements of the tongue. Particular embodiments of the invention in the multiple lift type of trucks are disclosed in a companion application Serial No. 82,757 filed June 1, 1936, concurrently with this application.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an elevating truck embodying a preferred form of the invention, the central portion of the truck being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the front portion of said truck showing the load supporting means in'lowered position, with the tongue freed for steering, a portion of the tongue and of the rear end of the truck being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the construction in lowered position, with the lifting mechanism set for lifting upon depression of the tongue;

Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the truck with 35 the load supporting means in raised position, at the end of the lifting stroke, the tension on the chain not having been relieved;

Fig. 5 is a detail view, mainly in section, showing the swivel connection between sections of the 40 iiexible member which extends from the load supporting means to the tongue;

Fig. 6 is a detail view, mainly in section, showing the guiding and tension-applying means for the flexible member, the manner in which it is mounted upon its shaft, and the bearings for said shaft;

Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating a modified form of construction in which the vertical swinging tongue is pivoted upon the shaft of the steering wheel or wheels;

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a modified form of mechanism for rotating the shaft of the guiding and tension-applying means, which is shown in Fig. 6, in a direction to release the pawls which 55 tion; and,

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the invention as applied to an elevating truck in which the load supporting means is raised step by step.

The preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a wheel-supported frame having side bars I and 2 connected at their front ends by a head 3 having wide downwardly extending fianges 4 which engage the inner sides of the members I and 2 and are secured thereto preferably by welding and which also are provided with horizontal ribs 5 which rest upon the upper edges of the side members I and 2. The head is provided with upwardly extending bearing members 6 and 'I which preferably are equally spaced from the longitudinal axis of the truck and are provided with bearings for a shaft 8 having mounted thereon a guiding and tension member 9 having a curved peripheral surface, the purpose of which will hereinafter more fully appear. The head is also provided with a forward cylindrical extension IB upon which the steering mechanism is mounted to rotate about a vertical axis.

In the particular construction illustrated the forward extension I0 of the head 3 is in the form of a cylindrical boss in which a tubular steering post II is mounted; the lower end of the steering post in integral with a plate I2 having downwardly extending members or forks I3 in the lower end of which a shaft I 4 of one or more steering wheels I5 is rotatably mounted. The forks of the steering wheel desirably are provided with forward extensions I6 in the front end of which is mounted a shaft I1 upon which the steering tongue I8 is pivotally mounted. By reason of this construction the steering tongue is pivoted upon the lower portion of the steering mechanism, thereby enabling it to be swung through an arc in which power can be more effectively applied to the steering tongue than is possible when the steering tongue is mounted upon a higher portion of the steering mechanism as in usual constructions. Furthermore, by pivoting the tongue on the lower portion of the steering mechanism and guiding the flexible member vertically through the tubular steering post, and thence longitudinally of the truck, to-

l the load supporting means, the lifting force is applied to the load supporting means in such manner as substantially to avoid tipping of the truck when the tongue is in a steeringiposition at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the truck. The rear ends of the side members I and 2 of the frame are mounted upon the shaft I9 upon which the rear wheels 20 of the truck are mounted.

In the particular1 construction shown herein the load supporting means is in the form of a platform having side members 2I which are connected at the rear ends by a transverse bar or plate 22 which if desired may be made inte-gral with the side members 2I or by a separate member suitably connected to the side members preferably by welding. The front ends of the side members 2| are connected by a bridge member comprising a horizontal plate 23 having a downwardly extending ange 24 which is welded to the inner faces of the side members 2|. The bridge member desirably has a vertical flange 25 along its forward edge provided with bosses 26 and 2'I and intermediate bosses 28 and 29. A shaft 30 desirably is journaled in all of these lock the load supporting means in raised posibosses and providesapvotal connection for locking pawls'3I and 32 and a central link 33, which is connected to flexible lifting mechanism hereinafter described. The front end of the platform in the construction illustrated is connected by parallel links 34 to the side members I and 2 and the rear end of the platform is supported upon U-shaped parallel links 35 which span the rear wheels 20 and are mounted at their lower ends upon the shaft I9 and at their upper ends upon a shaft 36 the ends of which extend through the side members 2| of the load supporting means. The parallel links 35 are maintained in properlyspaced position by a sleeve 3l surrounding the shaft I9` and engaging at its ends the inner webs of the parallel links 35, the outer webs engaging the side members 2| of the load supporting means. By reason of this construction the forward movement of the load supporting means will cause the front and rear pairs of links 34 and 35 to raise the load supporting means relatively to the frame. The parallel links 34 and 35 preferably are made of equal length for purpose of economy in manufacture. Desirably means are provided for cushioning the descent of the load supporting means when released from raised position. In the present invention this is accomplished by means of a dash pot 38 the plunger of which is provided with a bearing 39 which is pivotally mounted upon a shaft 4I! carried by longitudinal girders 4I which extend rearwardly from the bridge member 23 and are suitably connected at their rear ends to a transverse member of the load supporting means (not shown). The rear end of the dash pot 38 is pivotally connected to a suitable supporting member (not shown) which is mounted upon the side bars` I and 2 of the frame in a usual manner.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide means for lifting the load supporting means by a vertical swinging movement of the tongue which is pivoted upon the lower portion of the steering mechanism, thereby permitting the use of a longer tongue with the handle bar of the tongue at the same height when in Vertical position as in usual elevating trucks, and consequently permitting the handle to be swung througha greater distance with the same angular travel, together with means permitting a portion of the lifting mechanism to extend along the axis of the steering mechanism, so that the load supporting means can be raised with the steering tongue in any steering position throughout a horizontal range of. one hundred eighty degrees o-r even more. It is recognized that heretofore the tongue has been pivoted upon the lower portion of. the steering mechanism, but in such cases complicated leverage or linkage mechanisms have necessarily been employed to transmit the lifting power from the tongue to the load supporting means. Such constructions have bee-n commercially abandoned to the extent of substantial sacrifice of lifting leverage. In the present construction the low' pivotal mounting of the steering tongue permits a longer tongue to be used with direct application of lifting power to the load supporting means, and furthermore, the construction is such that the advantages of such greater lifting power may be employed with the tongue in any steering position.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated herein the lifting mechanism for the load supporting means comprises a flexible connection between the tongue and the loadsupporting means, a portion of said flexible member extendingalong the axis of the steering mechanism. with means for positively connecting the other end of the flexible member to the tongue in the single lift type of truck, or means for selectively connecting or disconnecting the tongue to the flexible member to raise the load supporting means step by step in heaw duty trucks.

In the constructions illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 inclusive, a flexible member of any suitable type, which preferably is in the form of a chain 42, is pivotally connected at one end to the link 33 which is pivotally mounted to the front end of the load supporting means. The flexible member extends upwardly over the guide and a tension-applying member 9 which is so positioned as to direct the flexible member vertically downwardly in the general direction of the axis of the steering mechanism. The flexible member preferably is made in sections connected by a swivel 43 and the lower section 44 of the flexible member is connected to a link 45`which is pivotally connected to a stud or shaft 46 upon the tongue,

The flexible member preferably is n the form of a chain which passes over the curved surface of the tension-applying member 9. By reason of the fact that the pivots connecting the links of the chain extend at right angles to the length of the chain, resistance is offered against the twisting of the chain, which would tend to shorten its length, and sucient rigidity is imparted to the chain to aid in maintaining it in proper alinement when the tongue is swung to the side for the purpose of lifting the load supporting means.

Desirably a ball thrust-bearing swivel is employed, such as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, which comprises a head having a cylindrical flange 4l providing a chamber containing upper and lower race members 48` and 49, with balls or other anti-friction devices 5U therebetween, the races being retained in said chamber by an annular cover 5! having screw threaded engagement with the lower end of the flange 41. The other member of the swivel comprises a circular head 52 which rests upon the upper race of the anti-friction bearing and is provided with an integral downwardly extending stem 53 which is pivotally connected by a stud 54 to the end of the other section 44 of the flexible member. The cylindrical portion 41 of the swivel is reciprocable within the cylindrical wall of the steering post, so that al substantially vertical movement of a portion or portions of the flexible member'along the axis of the steering'mechanism is permitted.

A guide member, preferably in the form of a roller 55, which is mounted upon Aa shaft 56 extending through the forks I3 of the steering mechanism, is so positioned as to guide the upper end of the lower section 44 of the flexible member along the axis of the steering post and also to direct it to its link connection 45 to the tongue.

By reason of this construction a vertical downward swinging movement of the tongue imposes a direct lengthwise pull upon the flexible member which serves to raise the load supporting means.

In the particular construction illustrated the load supporting means is mounted upon parallel links connecting it to the frame, so that the downward swinging movement of the tongue pulls the load supporting means upwardly and, forwardly. Obviously the load supporting means might be otherwise supported upon the frame or chassis of the truck in any desirable manner as, for example, by toggles, by inclined wedges, or in such manner that the lengthwise movement of the flexible member would serve to raise the load supporting means vertically.

By virtue of the present construction the power is applied through a lifting mechanism in the direction of the length of the flexible member, thereby avoiding the use of levers the angle of the arcs of which change as the levers are actuated. Furthermore, the construction avoids the use of parts requiring a reversal of movement which involves wear upon joints, etc., and friction of the operating parts is consequently reduced to a minimum.

In the construction disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 the guide 9 is so constructed as to perform a dual function of guiding the flexible member in the direction of the axis of the steering mechanism and also providing means for taking up slack of the flexible member when the load supporting means is to be raised, or for slackening the flexible member when the load supporting means is to be lowered in such manner as to avoid possibility of a flying tongue. The guiding member 9 may be in the form of a cam of a suitable contour, or preferably in the form of a sector the cylindrical periphery of which is of a suitable predetermined length. The cam or sector desirably is integral with a cylindrical sleeve 5l which is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 8 between its bearing members 6 and '1. The shaft 8 extends beyond the bearing members 6 and 'I sufficiently to be engaged by locking pawls hereinafter described. 'I'he sleeve 51 is connected by a U- shaped link 59 to a collar 30 which is rotatably mounted upon a reduced end portion of the shaft 8 and the collar 60 is provided with a laterally extending arm or pedal 6| (see Figs. 1 and 2) by means of which the collar 50 and consequently the sleeve 51 and cam or sector may be manually rotated to take up the slack in the flexible member or to slacken.

Means desirably are provided for normally rotating the sector or cam 9 to such position that the flexible member will engage the low surface 62 of the cam. In the preferred construction this is accomplished by a weight 63 havinga stem 64 which is secured to and extends radially from the sleeve 51.

When the load supporting means is in lowered position the weight 63 hangs downwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 2. When it is desired to raise the load supporting means, the operator places his foot upon the pedal 6l and rotates it rearwardly, thereby swinging the weight upwardly until its axis passes the vertical plane of the shaft 8 to the position illustrated in Fig. 3 in which position it is arrested by the engagement of the U- shaped link 59 with a shoulder 65 upon the upward extension 6 of the head. By thus rotating the cam in a direction to cause the flexible` member to be supported by the high portion of the cam or sector, the flexible member or chain 42 is tightened so that the downward swinging motion of the tongue from vertical position will irnmediately exert a longitudinal pull upon the flexible member and thereby raise the load supporting means. As the load supporting means is raised it is moved forwardly by the parallel links and the locking pawls which are pivotally connected to the load supporting means are also moved forwardly. The pawls 3l and 32 are rigid- Cil Lil)

ly connected together by a cross bar 66 and are so supported and guided by an arm 61 which extends laterally from the pawl 32 and rests upon an inclined surface 68 of the bearing member 1 of the head that when the load supporting means is raised to a predetermined height the hookshaped ends of the pawls 3l and 32 will pass over and drop into engagement with the portions 58 of the shaft 8 which are outside of the bearing members 6 and 1 respectively, and upon release of the tension upon the flexible member will lock the load supporting means against descent.

As the tongue is swung downwardly the sector rotates about its shaft 8 thereby maintaining the tension upon the flexible member throughout the full downward swinging movement of the tongue. Such rotation of the sector swings the weight 33 forwardly across the vertical plane of the axis of the shaft 8 to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, so that after the tongue is depressed to its lowest position and then raised slightly the frictional engagement between the cam or sector and the flexible member will be sufliciently reduced to enable the weight 63 to rotate the sector downwardly to its lowest position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, thereby slackening the chain and freeing the tongue so that it can be raised and lowered without affecting the lifting movement of the load supporting means. The tongue may then be swung laterally to steer the truck in any desired direction, and thereafter actuated when in any steering position to raise the load supporting means.

Means are provided for releasing the locking pawls with a minimum effort when it is desired to lower the load supporting means. This is accomplished by providing means for rotating the shaft 8 in a direction which will roll the hooked ends of the locking pawls out of engagement with the reduced portion 58 of the shaft 8. In the construction illustrated in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4 and 6, the shaft 8 is provided with a collar 1B which is xedly secured to it .and has a laterally extending arm or pedal 1I which may be rotated rearwardly by pressure of the foot or otherwise, thereby rotating the shaft 8 in a clockwise direction so that the hooked ends 69 of the pawls which engage the portions 53 of the shaft 8 will be raised by a rolling action until disengaged therefrom and the load supporting means permitted to descend. A spring 12, which is'connected at its upper end to the collar 10 and at its lower end to the head 3, serves to rotate the shaft 8 in a reverse direction and restore it to normal position when the pressure on the pedal is released. Too rapid descent of the load supporting means is' prevented by the cushioning device or dash pot 38 previously described.

An alternative means for releasing the locking pawls from locking engagement is illustrated in Fig. 8 in which a pinion 13 is substituted for the collar 10 on the shaft 8 in Fig, 6. The pinion 13 is engaged by a toothed sector 14 whichris pivotally mounted upon a stud shaft 15 projecting outwardly from the bearing member 6 and is also provided with a laterally extending arm 13 forming a pedal adapted to be depressed by the foot of the operator. The depression of the pedal 16 will rotate the shaft 8 in a direction to roll the hooked end of the locking pawls 3l, 33, out of engagement with the shaft, thereby permitting the descent of the load supporting means. A spring 11, which is secured at its upper end toy the sector 14 and at its lower end to the head 3, serves to restore the sleeve 51, and the sector 9 to normal position upon removal of the operators footl from the pedal 16.

It has heretofore been pointed out that one of the features of the invention consists in pivoting the tongue upon the lower portion of the steering mechanism and in Figs. 1 to 4 the tongue is shown as being pivoted upon the shaft I carried by forward extensions of the fork of the steering mechanism. An alternative means for thus pivoting the tongue upon the lower portion of the steering mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 7 in which the tongue is pivotally mounted upon the shaft I4 of the steering wheels and the link 45, which is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 46, is connected to the lower section 44 of the flexible member.

In the operation of the truck illustrated in Figs. l to 4, assuming the load supporting means to be in lowered position, illustrated in Fig. 2 and the load applied to the load supporting means, the operator places his foot upon the pedal 6I and forces it rearwardly until the U- shaped link 59 engages a suitable abutment 65 upon the head. This raises the Weight G3 to the position illustr-ated in Fig. 3 and the cam or sector 9 tightens the flexible member 42, the tongue at this time being in vertical position illustrated in Fig. 3. The tongue is then swung downwardly thereby pulling the flexible member lengthwise and raising the load supporting means. As the load supporting means is drawn upwardly the pawls, (which are guided by the lateral projection 61), ride over the portions 58 of the shaft 8 and drop into locking position. During the downward swinging movement of the tongue the cam or sector 9 travels with the iiexible member to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, so that when the tongue is again raised the weight 63 rotates the sleeve and cam or sector into normal position illustrated in Fig. 2, thereby slackening the chain so that the tongue can be moved up or down freely without affecting the lifting mechanism and as a consequence c-an be moved to any steering position.

When it is desired to release the load supporting means from raised position the operator places his foot upon the pedal 6I (Figs. 1, 2, and 3), or upon the pedal 15 (Fig. 8) and moves the same in a direction to cause the shaft 8 and sleeve 51 to rotate in a clockwise direction, thereby easily rolling the hooked end out of engagement with the sleeve and permitting the load supporting means to descend. Rapid descent of the load-supporting means is cushioned by the action of the dash pot 38.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 9 which is designed to raise the platform step by step. In this construction the frame comprising the side members I and 2, 7the head 3 with its forward cylindrical extension Ill, the tubular steering post II, the plate I2, forks I3, shaft I4, steering wheels I5, m-ay be and are substantially the same as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive. The load supporting means having the side bars 2| and bridge 23 having flanges 24 and 25 may also be of the same construction as that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. The means for raising the load supporting means also comprises a ilexible member in th-e form of a chain 42 made in sections, the lower end of one section being connected to the front end of the load supporting means, and the other end thereof connected to a swivel 43 which is slidably mounted in the tubular steering post; the other section 44 of the chain being connected at its upper end to the lower member of theV swivel and `passingover a guide 55 and connected to the vertically swinging tongue I8 which, as in the construction shown in Fig. 4, is pivoted on a shaft 1 which is mounted in the forward extension I8 of the forks of the steering mechanism.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 9 diiers from that shown in Figs. 1 to 4 mainly in the manner in which the flexible member or chain is releasably connected to the tongue to enable the load supporting means to be raised step by step, in the looking means which serves to hold the load supporting means at each step of elevation, and in the mechanism for releasing the load supporting means to permit its descent.

In the construction shown in Fig. 9, the lower end of the lower section 44 of the chain passes over a guide roller 18 and preferably is connected to a spring 19 the opposite end of which is connected to a shaft 88 which is mounted in arms 8| which project rearwardly from the webs of the wheel fork of the steering mechanism. This spring serves to keep the lower section 44 of the flexible member under tension to insure engagement of the pawl upon the tongue with the proper link of the section 44 of the chain. The spring also serves to maintain a tension upon the chain which will insure proper relation between the links of the chain and the locking mechanism hereinafter described. Means for connecting the flexible member to the tongue comprises a longr pawl 82 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 83 extending across the tongue at a considerable distance from its lower end, the tongue being bifurcated at its lower end to permit the pawl to swing outwardly. A latch 84 is rigidly connected to the pawl 82 and is provided with a hookshaped recess 85 adapted to engage the lockreleasing mechanism, as will hereinafter more fully appear. A rod 86 extends through a laterally projecting boss 81 on the latch 84 and is secured thereto against endwise movement by upper vand lower cotter pins or in any other desired manner. The rod 86 is offset at its lower end to engage the latch, but otherwise extends axially through the tongue, the upper section 88 of which is of tubular form. The upper end of the rod 86 is provided with an enlarged head cr button 89 to enable the rod to be forced lengthwise of the tongue. The rod 88 is normally forced upwardly by a spring 98, the lower end of which is seated upon a suitable abutment, such as a horizontal member 9| of a U-shaped strap. the legs 92 of which lit within the tubular tongue member and the ends 88 of the strap are bent outwardly over the end of the tubular tongue member. The up- 1 per end of the spring 98 abuts against a washer 94 held by a cotter pin 95 which passes through the rod'.

The upper end portion of the rod 86extends through a tubular handle member 96 which is secured upon the upper end of the tubular tongue member 88 by a tting 91, such as a pipe fitting of tubular form tting the handle member and having side straps or extensions 98 which extend a substantial distance downwardly upon opposite sides of the tubular member 88 and are welded thereto. By reason of this construction the ends 93 of the straps are firmly clamped betweenthe fitting and the upper end of the tubular tongue member 88. f

When the tongue is in raised position the pawl is held in position to engage the cross bar of one of the links of the lower chain member 44 so that a downward swinging movement of the tongue will cause the chain to be moved around the guiding pulley 18, thereby pulling the chain lengthwise to lift the load supporting means. In this construction a cylindrical guiding pulley 99 for the chain is mounted upon the upper ends of the bearing members 6 and 1 and said bearing members are provided with integral relatively thin extensions |88 which project upwardly and forwardly. A shaft |8| which is mounted in the forward end of said extension, is provided with a guiding pulley |82 which serves to direct the upper section of the chain vertically along the axis of the steering mechanism. The locking mechanism and the lock-releasing mechanism shown in Fig. 9 differs from that of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 in that thelock is adapted to engage the transverse members ofthe chain links successively as the chain is drawn forward by the vertical swinging movement of the tongue. The locking mechanism comprises a latch |83 having a hook-shaped end |84 to engage the transverse members of the links of the chain and a downwardly extending fork portion |85 the lower ends of which are mounted upon a shaft |86 the ends of which are mounted in the forward end of triangular plates |81 which are pivotally mounted upon the shaft 8|. The opposite ends of the plates |88 desirably are rounded and adapted to engage the forward edges of the upwardly projecting bearing members 1 to limit the clockwise movement of the plate 81 about the shaft |8| to the position illustrated in Fig. 9.

The triangular plates are normally maintained in such position by spiral springs |89, one end of which is connected to studs' ||8 upon the plates |81 and the other ends of which are connected to studs upon extensions ||2 projecting rearwardly from the bearing members B and 1 of the head. The weight of the locking latch 83 is such that its end I 84 will normally ride upon the chain so that as the chain is taken up by successive downward swinging movements of the tongue the hooked portion |84 of the latch will engage the transverse members of successive links. It therefore follows that by successive vertical swinging movements of the tongue the load supporting means may be raised step by step to its maximum elevation and will be locked at each step of elevation. When the loadsupporting means is locked in raised position the tongue may be raised and the enlarged head 89 of the rod 86 pressed downwardly to release the pawl 82 from its engagement with a link of the section 44 of the chain, thereby freeing the tongue for steering and also releasing the chain 44 so that it may slacken and permit the descent of the load supporting means when the latch |83 is released from locking engagement with the section 42 of the chain.

The mechanism for releasing the latch comprises a yoke-shaped member formed of links |I3 which are pivotally connected to the rear ends of the triangular plates |81 and at their forward ends are united by a cross bar ||4 adapted to be engaged by the hook-shaped end 85 of the latch 84, which is pivotally mounted upon the tongue. The cross bar ||4 may be normally held in position to be engaged by the latch 84 by resting upon the upper end of the forward extension I8 of the head.

When it is desired to release theA load supporting means from its raised position the tongue is swung to vertical position and the button at the end of the rod 86 depressed, thereby swinging the latch 84 into engagement with the cross` bar H4.

When thus engaged the tongue is swung downwardly thereby drawing the links II3 of the yokeshaped member forwardly, thus swinging thetriangular members lill about the shaft IUI and raising the forward portion of the latch |03 and also moving the latch rearwardly. The forward extension IUI) of one of the bearing members is provided with a preferably integral upwardly projecting plate H5 which may be formed integral with said extension and which presents an upwardly and rearwardly inclined edge I I6 adapted to be engaged by a stud III projecting laterally from the latch |03. When therefore the latch is moved upwardly and rearwardly, as above described, the stud IIT will ride up the inclined surface I i6 and raise the hook |04 out of engagement with the link of the chain which it engages, thereby releasing the chain and permitting the load supporting means to descend.

It will be noted that when the latch is depressed to engage the cross bar I I4 of the latch-actuating yoke, the pawl 82 will be swung out of engagement with the transverse member of the link in the lower section 44 of the chain, so that the chain can move freely lengthwise to permit the descent of the load supporting means, being only restrained in its movement by the spring 'I9 which merely serves to prevent the dropping of the lower end of the chain and to retain it in position to be again engaged by the latch when the tongue is swung downwardly to lift the load supporting means.

`It will therefore be obvious that the essential features of the present invention are adapted for use in trucks in which the load supporting means is raised by a single swinging movement of the tongue or in which the load supporting means is raised step by step by successive vertical swinging movements of the tongue.

It will also be noted that the means for applying power to the chain for raising the load supporting means in both instances is advantageous in that a greater amplitude of swinging movement of the tongue is provided than in usual constructions and consequently the operator is enabled easily to apply a greater amount of power than is possible in usual truck constructions. Furthermore, such greater amount of power can be applied when the tongue is in any steering position.

It will be understood that the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are of an illustrative character and not restrictive of the meaning and scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. An elevating truck comprising a frame having a head provided with a vertical aperture, steering mechanism rotatably mounted on said head having an axial aperture in alinement with the opening in said head, a tongue pivotally mounted on the lower portionV of said steering mechanism, load supporting means mounted on said frame and movable upwardly relatively thereto, means maintaining an uninterrupted connection between saidtongue and said load supporting means having a portion of its length extending through said apertures along the vertical axis of the steering mechanism and operable by a vertical swinging movement ofthe tongue when in any steering position to raise said load supporting means without applying above said frame Va force tending to tip the truck laterally.

2. An elevating truck comprising a frame having an upwardly extending head provided with a vertical aperture, steering mechanism rotatably mounted on said head having an axial aperture in alinement with the opening in said head, a tongue pivotally mounted on the lower portion of said steering mechanism, load supporting means mounted on said frame and movable upwardly relatively thereto, a flexible member uninterruptedly connecting said load supporting means and said tongue, means on said head and said steering mechanism for guiding a portion of said flexible member through said aperture and along the vertical axis of said steering mechanism, whereby said load supporting means may be raised by a Vertical swinging movement 4of the tongue when in any steering position without applying above said frame a force tending to tip th-e truck laterally.

3. An elevating truck comprising a frame having an upwardly extending head provided with a vertical aperture, steering mechanism rotatably mounted on said head having an axial aperture in alinement with the opening in said head, a tongue pivotally mounted on the lower portion of said steering mechanism, load supporting means mounted on said frame and movable upwardly relatively thereto, a flexible member uninterruptedly connecting said load supporting means and said tongue, means on said head and said steering mechanism for guiding a portion of said flexible member through said aperture and along the vertical axis of said steering mechanism, whereby said load supporting means may be raised by a vertical swinging movement of the tongue when in any steering position without applying above said frame a force tending to tip the truck laterally, and means operable manually to impose a tension upon said flexible member during the lifting movement thereof or to slacken said flexible member to prevent the raising of said tongue upon lowering of said load supporting means.

4. An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupported frame having a head provided with a vertical aperture therethrough, steering mechanism mounted on said head to rotate about a vertical axis and having a Vertical aperture in axial alinement with the aperture in said head, a tongue ymounted on said steering mechanism below said head to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising a flexible member connecting said load supporting means lto said tongue, upper and lower guiding means on said head and steering mechanism for directing a portion of said flexible member upwardly thence downwardly through said apertures along the vertical axis of said steering mechanism, a swivel in said flexible member intermediate `of said guiding means, and means operable by a vertical swinging movement of the tongue when in any steering position to pull said flexible member lengthwise to raise the load supporting means.

said flexible member upwardly thence downwardly axially through said tubular steering post, and means operable by a vertical swinging movement of said tongue to pull said flexible member lengthwise to raise the load supporting means, means for locking the load supporting meansv in raised position, and means for slackening said flexible member when the load supporting means locked in raised position.

6. An elevating truck comprising a wheel-supported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical tubular steering post rotatably mounted in said head, a tongue mounted on said steering mechanism below said head to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising a exible member connecting said tongue to said load supporting means formed in sections connected by a swivel having a cylindrical member within said tubular steering post, upper and lower guiding means on said head and steering mechanism directing th-e swivelcontaining portion of said exible member axially through said tubular steering post, and means e operable by vertical swinging movement of the tongue to pull said exible member lengthwise to raise the load supporting means.

7. An elevating truck comprising a wheel-supported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical tubular steering post rotatably mounted in said head, a tongue mounted on said steering mechanism below said head to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising a iiexible member connecting said tongue to said load supporting means formed in sections connected by a swivel having a cylindrical member slidably fltting within said tubular steering post, connected to one of said sections, a complementary swivel member connected to the other section of said iiexible member, anti-friction bearings between said swivel members, upper and lower guiding means directing the sections of said flexible member along the axisv of said hollow steering post, and means operable by vertical swinging movement of the tongue to pull said flexible member lengthwise to raise the load supporting means.

8. An elevating truck comprising a wheel-supported frame having a head, steering mechanism mounted on said head to rotate about a vertical axis, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising a tongue pivotally mounted on said steering mechanism to swing vertically, a flexible member connecting said tongue and said load supporting means, rotatable guiding members mounted respectively on said head and steering mechanism directing a portion of said flexible member along a predetermined path, means operable by vertical swinging movement of the tongue to pull said exible member lengthwise, one of said guiding members having means operable upon rotation thereof in one direction to tighten the iiexible member and upon rotation in the opposite direction to slacken said flexible member* 9, An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupportedA frame havinga head having a vertical aperture therethrough, steering mechanism mounted on said head to rotate about avertical axis and having a vertical aperture in axial aline- Vment with the aperture insaid head, load supporting `means mounted on said frame, Vmeans for -Jraising said load supporting means comprising a tongue pivotally mounted on said steering mechanism to swing vertically, a exible member connecting said tongue and said load supporting means, rotatable guiding members mounted respectively on said head and steering mechanism directing a portion of said flexible member through said apertures along the' vertical axis of said steering post, means operable by vertical swinging movement of the tongue to pull said flexible member lengthwise, one of said guiding members having a high portion operable to take up slackness in said exible member and thereby cause said vertical swinging movement of the tongue to raise the load supp-orting means rapidly, means for locking the load supporting means in raised position, and means for rotating the guiding member having the high portion to slacken the flexible member when the load supporting means is locked in raised position.

10. An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupported frame having a head having a vertical aperture therethrough, steering mechanism mounted in said head to rotate about a vertical axis and having avertical aperture in axial alinement with the aperture in said head, a tongue mounted on said steering mechanism tc swing vertically, load supporting means, a flexible member connecting said load supporting means to said tongue, a shaft mounted i-n said head well above said load supporting means, a cam mounted upon said shaft engaging said flexible memberV and acting to guide the same vertically through said apertures along the axis of said steering mechanism, means on said steering mechanism for guiding said flexible member to said tongue, and means for rotating said cam to cause the high portion of the cam to tighten said fiexible member and thereby to permit a vertical movement of the tongue rapidly to raise said load supporting means or to move the high portion of the cam out of lengagement with the liexible member thereby to slacken said flexible member, and means for locking the load supporting means in raised position.

1l. An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical steering post mounted in said head to rotate about a vertical axis, a tongue mounted on the lower yportion of said steering mechanism to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising, a flexible member connecting said load supporting means to said tongue, a cam mounted in said head well above said load supporting means to engage and guide said flexible member, and means for positioning said cam to cause the high portion thereof to take up slackness in said flexible member, thereby to cause the vertical swinging movement of the tongue to raise the load supporting means rapidly by longitudinal movement of said flexible member.

' 12. An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical steering post mounted in said head to rotate about a vertical axis, a tongue mounted on said steering mechanism to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising, a flexible member connecting said load supporting means to said tongue, a `cam mounted-in said head well above said load supporting means to engage and guide said iiexible member, means for positioning said cam to cause the high portion thereof to take up slackness in said exible member, thereby to cause the vertical swinging movement of the tongue to raise the load supporting vmeans rapidly by longitudinal movement of said flexible member, and means operable upon release of tension upon said flexible member to .rotate said cam in a direction to cause the low portion'of the cam to engage the flexible member, thereby slackening said iiexible member to permit descent of the load supporting means, without affecting the tongue in whatsoever position it may be.

13. An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical tubular steering post mounted in said head to rotate about a vertical axis, a tongue mounted on the lower portion of said steering mechanism to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising, a flexible member connecting said load supporting means to said tongue, a shaft mounted in said head well above said load supporting means, a cam Vmounted upon said shaft engaging said flexible member and guiding the same vertically along the axis of said steering mechanism, means on said tubulargsteering post for guiding said flexible Vmember to said tongue, manually operable means for rotating said cam to cause the high portion of the cam to tighten said flexible member and thereby to permit a vertical movement of the tongue rapidly to raise said load supporting means, means for locking the load supporting means in raised position, and means normally tending to rotate said cam in a direction to slacken said flexible vmember upon release of the tension upon said flexible member.

14. An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical tubular steering Vpost mounted in said head to rotate about a vertical axis, a tongue mounted on said steering mechanism to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means `for raising said load supporting means comprising, a flexible member connecting said load supporting means to said tongue, a shaft mounted in said head well above said load supporting means, a cam mounted upon said shaft engaging said flexible member and guiding the same vertically along the axis of saidtubular steering post, kmeans on said steering mechanism for guiding said flexible member to said tongue, and means for rotating said cam to cause the high portion of the cam to tighten said flexible member and thereby to permit a Vertical movement of the tongue rapidly to raise said load supporting means, a pawl connected to said load supporting means having means to engage said cam shaft to lock the load supporting means in raised position, and means operable when tension upon said load supporting means is relieved to rotate said cam shaft in a direction to cause disengagement of said locking pawl to permit the descent of the load supporting means.

15. An elevating vtruck comprising .a wheelsupported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical tubular steering post mounted in said head to rotate about Ja vertical axis, a tongue mounted on said steering mechanism to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising a exiblo member connecting said load supporting means to said tongue, a .shaft mounted in -said head well abovesaid load supporting means, a cam mounted upon said shaft engaging said flexible member and guiding the same vertically along the axis of said tubular steering post, means on said steering mechanism for guiding said flexible member to said tongue, and means for rotating said cam to cause the high portion of the cam to tighten said exible member and thereby to permit a vertical movement of the tongue nrapidly to raise said load supporting means, a pawl connected to said load supporting means having means to engage said cam shaft to lock the load supporting means in raised position, an arm on said cam shaft forming a pedal operable when tension upon said flexible member is relieved to rotate said cam shaft in a direction to disengage said locking pawl to permit the descent of the load supporting means.

16. An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical tubular steering post mounted in said head to rotate about a vertical axis, a tongue mounted on the lower portion of said steering mechanism to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted Ion said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising a flexible member connecting said load supporting means to said tongue, a shaft mounted in said head well above said load supporting means, a cam mounted upon said shaft engaging said flexible member and guiding the same vertically along the axis of said tubular Steering post, means on said steering mechanism for guiding said flexible member to said tongue, and means for rotating said cam to cause the high por-tion of the cam to tighten said flexible member and thereby to permit a vertical movement of the tongue rapidly to raise said load supporting means, a pawl connected to said load supporting means having means to engage said cam shaft to lock the load supporting means in raised position, a gear on said cam shaft, and a sector engaging said gear having a pedal operable when tension upon said flexible member is relieved to cause said gear to rotate said cam shaft in a direction to disengage said pawl to permit the descent of the load supporting means.

17. An elevating truck comprising a wheel supported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical tubular steering post mounted in said head and provided with a steering wheel having a shaft, a tongue mounted upon the shaft of said steering wheel to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising a flexible member connected to said load supporting means, means on said head and steering mechanism for guiding a portion of said iiexible member valong the vertical axis of said tubular steering post, and means connecting the lower end of said exble member to said tongue in proximity to the shaft of said steering wheel, whereby a vertical swinging movement of said tongue will pull said flexible member lengthwise and thereby raise said load supporting means.

18. An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical tubular steering post rotatably mounted in said head, a tongue mounted on vthe lower portion of said steering mech- Y anism to `swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load. supporting means comprising a chain connecting said load :supporting means to said tongue for-med in sections connected by a swivel slidably mounted in said tubular steering post, a shaft mounted in said head well above said load supporting means having a sector engagingl said chain and directing the same axially of said steering post, guiding means on said steering mechanism engaging the lower section of said chain to insure movement of theupper portion thereof in the direction of the axis of the steering post, and a pawl mounted on said load supporting means having means to engage said shaft when the load supporting means is in raised position.

19. An elevating truck comprising a wheelsupported frame having a head, steering mechanism having a vertical tubular steering post rotatably mounted in said head, a tongue mounted on the lower portion of said steering mechanism to swing vertically, load supporting means mounted on said frame, means for raising said load supporting means comprising a chain connecting said load supporting means to said tongue formed in sections connected by a swivel slidably mounted in said tubular steering post, a shaft mounted in said head well above said load supporting means having a sector engaging said chain and directing the same axially of said steering post, guiding means on said steering mechanism engaging the lower section of said chain to insure movement of the upper portion thereof in the direction of the axis of the steering post, a pawl mounted on said load supporting means having means to engage said shaft when the load supporting means is in raised position, means operable upon release of tension upon said chain to rotate the shaft of said sector in a direction to disengage the locking pawl therefrom, and means normally tending to rotate said sector out of effective engagement with said chain.

DANIEL E. HENNESSY. $0 

